We all know about the four basic methods of execution; Hammer, Thrust, Whip, and Slice. We should know that the point of origin is what differentiates the Hammer and the Thrust. Hammer goes from the top down, and thrust from the bottom up. Ed Parker used to like to say the thrust was like a knife thrust and the hammer was, well, like a hammer. If your hands were up,the most efficient way to respond would be to hammer, and if they were down, thrusting was faster.
Think about how much time it would take to get your hands from the up position to come around and up again to do a thrusting method. Sure, you can do it, but it's not real practical. The hand being down to come up and then down to hammer is slow, too. That established, we need to think about what else the thrust does.
The thrust has a built-in check. A snap, whip, or slice does not. I look at these methods of snap and thrust as being like how one would use a spear. Want to poke holes in someone? Use a snap. Want to run him through? Use a thrust. The thrust hangs them up on your weapon.
For that extra penetration, and to keep the opponent off you just a bit longer than the other methods, use the thrust. Know the other methods because they may be more appropriate at other times.
